Italy was very kind to us.
When I used to talk to people who had gone to Italy, I used to get overcome with curiosity as their eyes glazed over with fond nostalgia, their breaths deepened, and yet were still unable to put words to feeling when I asked them what it was like. I understand that now. Italy is... well, there are just no words to describe it. But, that would make for a pretty pointless blog if I left it at that so... here's the best I can do.
Italy is different. And yet, Italy is very much like the stereotypes that cross your mind when you think about Italy. It is a romantic country: from the misty back alley that opens to a small cafe off the beaten path in Venice to the overflowing cobblestone streets of the metropolis' of Milan to the college town feel of Florence where the party goes all night. It's a place that is used to travelers from all over the world: representatives from Japan, the UK, Spain, both Americas, Canada, Israel, and Germany can be found everywhere, all with their camcorders and their cameras and that same amazed look in their eyes.
In particular: it is impossible not to be a tourist in Rome. Every step taken is one underneath or across or within camera focus of an archeological discovery. In our last days in Rome, we crammed every second with the Pantheon, the Sistine Chapel, the Musei Vaticani, St. Peter's Basilica and the Square, the Fontina di Trevi, the Piazza Navona, the back alley churches, and too many randomly stumbled upon sights to name. There's stuff everywhere. Half the time, you don't even realize you're standing right next to it until you look up. The streets are crammed with vacationers, students, class trips, and lovers of all ages. The shopping is insane and the food is fantastic everywhere you go. No one could ever go hungry in Rome as long as they have a few euro in their pockets.
Italy is a place with people who are infused in a sense of self-importance. It's not that they're pretentious (far from it). It's just that they are blatant in their opinion, fiercely haughty, and unafraid to simply be who they are. Women will walk by other women and flat out stop in their tracks to check out the passing person's shoes with a critical eye. Men check out women like each is a trained beauty contest judge. Wine isn't just something to drink with dinner, it's a part of life. (An Italian friend we made was floored at the U.S. attitude towards drinking alcohol. When we told him that the drinking age was 21 in the States and that all alcohol consumption was illegal to those under the legal age, he baffled, "What? Not even wine? That's absurd!") Food is an event that last all night. The Italian culture is rich and beautiful and, although I am not the first person to ever use those words to describe it, this is something that is uniquely theirs. They are graciously kind and patient with foreigners (at least that was my experience). They also drive like they mean it. No kidding.
We left Rome this morning and I already miss it more than I've missed anywhere else we've traveled to on this trip. Lupe and I were both wondering if this means we've peaked. We flew to Madrid, Spain today and, although we haven't experienced much of it, it seems like a pretty cool place. I want to give it a chance, I really do. I know this city is full of life and culture and experiences yet to be had.
Still...
Italy was the best place I've been to so far. This is not an exaggeration. This is not just a fanciful gush. This is me, falling in love with a place so much I actually consider how I can get back there as soon as possible at least once a day. We've been to Venice, Milan, Florence, and finally Rome. It wasn't enough. It wasn't even a fraction of what this country has to offer. We were lucky to give up many conveniences and live like a local for much of this portion of this trip, shopping at the grocery, buying meats and cheeses from the deli, grabbing a slice of pizza at the snack bar. Choosing which bottle of wine we wanted to drink that night over soup. It was great to really get some on me. I think it stuck. I can't wait to go back there.
We are in the Hotel Atlantico in Madrid right now. It's a pretty great hotel. We are on the top floor, overlooking the trendy Gran Via, the major shopping center of Madrid. The view is something else. Speaking of which, the girls here as just as beautiful as the ones in Italy and more varied in color (which is surprising to realize when it hits you that you haven't seen more than a handful of black people in almost two months) but not nearly as stylish. As far as fashion goes? Italy wins hands down. (Australia comes in a close second. Way to go, Aussies! :) )
Lupe's mom and sister are coming to meet us tomorrow and we are both very excited to see familiar faces. It's hard to remember what it's like to know anybody else except for each other any more. We were lucky to have met a man named Lior who was our guide in Florence. I'll tell you more about him later, if I can remember. Other than him, it's just been me and Lupe in a hotel room together for 3 months now. And, while being with each other was hard thing to adjust to at first (considering for the last three years we only saw each other in between class projects), I have Italy to thank for rekindling the romance in my relationship. We are happy and ready to come home now. Just a few more weeks left to go.
See you soon.
-d@n
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